Subcutaneous self attaching injection port with integral moveable retention members

ABSTRACT

A self attaching injection port has integral moveable fasteners which are moveable from a undeployed state to a deployed state engaging tissue. The fasteners may be disposed radially or tangentially, and rotated to pierce the fascia. The fasteners may be rigid or elastically deformable.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/741,875, entitled “Subcutaneous Self Attaching Injection Port withIntegral Moveable Retention Members,” filed Dec. 19, 2003, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,862,546, which claims the priority of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/478,763, entitled “Fluid Injection Port ForAdjustable Gastric Band,” filed Jun. 16, 2003, the disclosure of whichis incorporated herein by reference.

This application also incorporates by reference the following UnitedStates Patent Applications: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/741,127,filed Dec. 19, 2003, entitled “Subcutaneous Injection Port for AppliedFasteners,” published as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0131352; andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/741,868, filed Dec. 19, 2003,entitled “Subcutaneous Self Attaching Injection Port With IntegralFasteners,” now U.S. Pat. No. 7,374,557.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates in general to surgically implantable fluidinjection ports, and is particularly directed to fasteners and methodsfor fastening subcutaneous peripherally attached ports. The inventionwill be specifically disclosed in connection with injection ports usedwith adjustable gastric bands, although the fasteners of the presentinvention may be used with many different subcutaneously attacheddevices, including injection ports used for vascular access such as theinfusion of medications and blood draws.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Injection ports are placed beneath the skin of a body for injectingfluids into the body, such as for infusing medication, blood draws, andmany other applications, including adjustable gastric bands. Since theearly 1980s, adjustable gastric bands have provided an effectivealternative to gastric bypass and other irreversible surgical weightloss treatments for the morbidly obese. The gastric band is wrappedaround an upper portion of the patient's stomach, forming a stoma thatrestricts food passing from an upper portion to a lower portion of thestomach. When the stoma is of the appropriate size, food held in theupper portion of the stomach provides a feeling of fullness thatdiscourages overeating. However, initial maladjustment or a change inthe stomach over time may lead to a stoma of an inappropriate size,warranting an adjustment of the gastric band. Otherwise, the patient maysuffer vomiting attacks and discomfort when the stoma is too small toreasonably pass food. At the other extreme, the stoma may be too largeand thus fail to slow food moving from the upper portion of the stomach,defeating the purpose altogether for the gastric band.

In addition to a latched position to set the outer diameter of thegastric band, adjustability of gastric bands is generally achieved withan inwardly directed inflatable balloon, similar to a blood pressurecuff, into which fluid, such as saline, is injected through a fluidinjection port to achieve a desired diameter. Since adjustable gastricbands may remain in the patient for long periods of time, the fluidinjection port is typically installed subcutaneously to avoid infection,for instance in front of the sternum. Adjusting the amount of fluid inthe adjustable gastric band is achieved by inserting a Huber needlethrough the skin into a silicon septum of the injection port. Once theneedle is removed, the septum seals against the hole by virtue ofcompressive load generated by the septum. A flexible conduitcommunicates between the injection port and the adjustable gastric band.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As described herein, there is provided an injection port for injectingfluids into a body. The port includes a housing for placement beneaththe skin of the body and means for receiving a needle. At least oneretention member is integrally attached to the housing which is moveablewith respect thereto. The retention member has an undeployed state whendisposed in a first position relative to the housing and a deployedstate engaging tissue adjacent the housing when disposed in a secondposition relative to the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of thespecification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic drawing showing an injection port constructedin accordance with the present invention, connected to an adjustablegastric band wrapped around an upper part of a stomach;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the injection port shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, cross sectional view taken along a vertical planethrough line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rotatable retention member;

FIG. 5 is perspective view of an injection port attachment assembly withthe injection port of FIG. 1 installed in an applicator;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the injection port attachment assembly ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the base taken along line 7-7 ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the base of the applicator subassemblyof FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the plunger of the applicatorsubassembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the applicator subassembly of FIG.5, taken at the same location as indicated by line 10-10 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the injection port attachment assembly shownin FIG. 5 prior to implantation;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the injection port attachment assembly shownin FIG. 5 following implantation prior to release of the injection portfrom the applicator subassembly;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the injection port attachmentassembly taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 13 showing a fragmentary crosssectional view of the resilient retention member and injection port;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged, fragmentary view showing the position of theactuator ramp and the resilient retention member actuator;

FIG. 16 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of an injection portattachment assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the plunger of the applicatorsubassembly of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary side view of the attachment end of theinjection port attachment assembly shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is en end view of the applicator subassembly of FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross sectional view of theattachment end of the applicator subassembly of FIG. 16;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a selfattaching injection port in accordance with the present invention and anapplicator configured for use therewith;

FIG. 22 is an enlarged side view of the injection port of FIG. 21 with aportion cut away to show a rotatable retention member;

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary, cross sectional view of the applicator takenalong line 23-23 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 is a side view of the injection port attachment and applicatorof FIG. 21 prior to implantation, with a portion cut away to show arotatable retention member;

FIG. 25 is a side view similar to FIG. 24, with the applicator slightlyrotated showing initiation of implantation;

FIG. 26 is a side view similar to FIG. 25, with the applicator rotatedfurther showing completion of implantation;

FIG. 27 is a side view in partial cross section of another embodiment ofan injection port with integral moveable retention members;

FIG. 28 is a cross-section side view an applier loaded with theinjection port of FIG. 27 immediately prior to implantation;

FIG. 29 is a cross-section side view of the outer tube of the applierfor implanting the injection port shown in FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is an end view of the applier of FIG. 28;

FIG. 31 illustrates the withdrawal and shows the injection port andapplier of FIG. 30 during implantation;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an injection portwith an integral moveable retention member;

FIG. 33 is a fragmentary side view of the retention member of theinjection port of FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a side view of the injection port of FIG. 32, with theretention member in the deployed position; and

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodimentof the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicatethe same elements throughout the views, FIG. 1, adjustable gastric band10 is shown wrapped around an upper portion of stomach 12, kept in placeby attaching the two ends together and extending portion 14 of thestomach 12 over adjustable gastric band 10 by suturing portion 14 to thestomach. One end of flexible conduit 16 is in fluid communication withthe internal cavity of the balloon (not shown), with the other end beingin fluid communication with an internal cavity of injection port 18. Atthe time adjustable gastric band 10 is implanted around a portion of thestomach, remote injection port 18 is also implanted at a suitablelocation, usually within the rectus sheaths, for transcutaneous accessvia a Huber needle.

Referring also to FIGS. 2 and 3, as is well known, injection port 18includes housing 20 having annular flange 22 extending outwardly fromone end and a metal base member 27. Septum 28 and metal base member 27cooperate to form a sealed plenum chamber, which is depicted as aninternal cavity 26 in FIG. 3. Nipple 24 is in fluid communication withinternal cavity 26. Flexible conduit 16 is attached to nipple 24 at somepoint in the procedure, typically after injection port 18 has beenimplanted. Fluid is added to or removed from interior cavity 26 byinserting a Huber needle percutaneously into silicone septum 28 ofinjection port 18. Although septum 26 is made of silicon, the means ofthe injection port for receiving a needle includes any structureconfigured to self seal after puncture with a non-coring needle.

Although a specific configuration for injection port 18 is disclosedherein, there are many suitable configurations which may be used inconjunction with the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, injection port 18 includes three integralrotatable circumferentially spaced retention members/fasteners 30, eachof which is rotatably carried by a respective pin 32. Each fastener 30is disposed to rotate in a respective radial plane, about a respectivetangential axis. Each pin 32 is supported by a respective fastenersupport 34 which is carried by flange 22. For each fastener support 34,portion 22 a of flange 22 extends generally radially outward, with apair of spaced apart upright flanges 34 a and 34 b, defining a gaptherebetween, extending upwardly relative to top surface 22 b of flangeportion 22 a, adjacent either side of slot 36. Recesses 36 a may beformed into the side of housing 20 if necessary to provide clearance forrotation of rotatable retention members 30. Fastener supports 34 may beof unitary construction with flange 22, or may be mounted thereon in anysuitable manner.

Each flange 34 a and 34 b includes a respective mutually aligned holeinto which pin 32 is pressed with an interference fit sufficient toretain pin 32 therein. In the depicted embodiment, ribs 38 a and 38 bextend from the facing inner surfaces of flanges 34 a and 34 b, and bearagainst fasteners 30 to keep them from rotating freely so that fasteners30 may be kept a non-deployed state until implantation.

Flange 22 includes two circumferentially spaced recesses 40 (only one ofwhich is visible in FIG. 2). Flange 22 includes a stepped/raised portion22 c overlying recess 40. It is noted that recess 40 may be formed inflange 22 without including raised portion 22 c.

The teachings of this invention may be practiced with any suitableconfiguration of a injection port, such as having a smaller flange or adiscontinuous flange. Three fasteners 30 are effective to preventinjection port 18 from flipping over after implantation, such as due topassive or induced movements of the patient. However, the presentinvention is not limited to the use of three fasteners, and one or morefasteners may be used.

Referring to FIG. 4, rotatable retention member 30 is formed as a hook,having arm 30 a extending from base portion 30 b to arcuate portion 30c. Arcuate portion 30 c terminates in tip 30 d which is sharp enough topenetrate tissue.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate injection port assembly 42 with injection port18 installed in applicator subassembly 44. Applicator subassembly 44includes base 46 and plunger 48.

Referring also to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, base 46 includes handle portion 50,which can be any suitable configuration, and tubular housing portion 52.End 54 includes recesses 56 dimensioned and shaped to receive fastenersupports 34 and portions 22 a. Each recess includes slot portion 56 awhich provides clearance for rotatable retention member 30. End 54 alsoincludes recess 58, which provides clearance for nipple 24 wheninjection port 18 is installed in applicator subassembly 44.

Base 46 includes two circumferentially spaced resilient retentionmembers 60, each defined by two respective elongated slots 62 a and 62b. Each pair of slots 62 a and 62 b are circumferentially spaced adistance such that retention members 60 are essentially cantileveredsprings which may be deflected outwardly to release injection port 18,as will be described below. Extending from each longitudinal edge ofeach retention member 60 near end 60 a is a respective retention memberactuator 64 a and 64 b. End 60 a includes an inwardly extending lip 60b. The arcuate width, height and depth of recess 40 are complementary tothe corresponding dimensions of lip 60 b, such that lip 60 b engagesrecess 40 to thereby retain injection port 18 at end 54 of base 42.

As seen in FIG. 6, plunger 48 includes shaft portion 66 and cylindricalportion 68, both of which are shaped and sized complementary tocorresponding portions of base 46 so as to be axially moveably receivedtherein. End 70 of cylindrical portion 68 is configured tocomplementarily engage flange 22, and includes axial recesses 72 a and72 b which align with raised portion 22 c. End 70 may alternatively beflat, if the configuration of flange 22 dictates. Cylindrical portion 68defines cavity 74 which is shaped to receive injection port 18 withoutinterfering with the desired engagement between end 70 and flange 22.

Cylindrical portion 68 includes pairs of spaced apart, outwardlyextending actuators 76 a and 76 b. Actuators 76 a and 76 b are depictedas ramps, having inclined leading surfaces 78 a and 78 b and declinedtrailing surfaces 80 and 80 b. When plunger 48 is disposed within base46, each actuator 76 a and 76 b is disposed within a respective slot 62a and 62 b. As will be described below, as plunger is depressed toadvance end 70 toward end 54, actuators 76 a and 76 b engage respectiveresilient member actuators 64 a and 64 b and urge them outwardly,causing resilient members 60 to move outwardly, and eventually movinglips 60 b out of respective recesses 22 c, releasing injection port 18from applicator subassembly 44.

FIG. 10 illustrates applicator subassembly 44 in cross section. Base 46includes bore 82 into which shaft portion 66 is slidably disposed.Plunger 48 is retained in base 46 by pin 84 which is secured to base 46,and extends into longitudinal slot 86 in shaft portion 66.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 11, injection port assembly 42 is illustrated,having injection port 18 installed in applicator subassembly 44.Fasteners 30 are in the retracted position in an undeployed state. End66 a of shaft 66 extends out of handle portion 50 as shown. To assembleinjection port 18 into applicator assembly 44, fastener supports 34 arealigned with openings 56, and snapped into place with lips 60 b engagingrecesses 22 c. To keep plunger 48 in place, lock clip 88 engages annulargroove 90 in shaft portion 66. To implant injection port 18, clip 88 isremoved and shaft portion 66 is advanced through bore 82, contactingfasteners 30 and rotating them into the deployed state at a positionpiercing and engaging fascia layer 92, as shown in FIG. 12. Furtheradvancement of shaft portion 66 will disengage injection port 18 fromapplicator subassembly 48, as described below.

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the injection port attachmentassembly taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12. At this position, end 70 hasrotated rotatable retention members/fasteners 30 about 90° from theirretracted position in an undeployed state, by initially contactingfasteners 30 at their uppermost point in the retracted position. Thiscreates a moment about pin 32, rotating fasteners 30, and transmittingsufficient force thereto to pierce the fascia layer. Full rotation offasteners 30 into the deployed state is shown in FIG. 13, although atthis position end 70 has not bottomed against the upper surface offlange 22.

Referring also to FIG. 14, which is an enlarged illustration of aportion of FIG. 13, showing resilient retention member 60 stillmaintaining lip 60 b in recess 40. Also referring to FIG. 15, at theposition illustrated in FIG. 13, ramp actuators 76 a and 76 b are incontact with retention member actuators 62 a and 62 b (62 b and 76 b arenot shown in FIG. 15). Longitudinal advancement of plunger 66 causesretention member actuators 62 a and 62 b to ride up ramps 78 a and 78 b,urging resilient retention members 60 outwardly. As plunger 66 advances,portions of end 70 engage flange 22, and begin urging injection port 18axially out. When ramps 78 a and 78 b have moved retention members 60outwardly enough, lips 60 b move out of recesses 40 and injection port18 is released. Further travel of plunger 66 pushes flange 22 past end54 of housing 52. Slot 86 bottoms against pin 84, preventing furthertravel of plunger 66.

FIG. 16 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of an injection portattachment assembly according the present invention. Injection portattachment assembly 94 includes handle portion 96 which is rotatablerelative to cylindrical portion 98. Handle portion 96 includes grip 100connected to shaft 102. In addition to the configuration of handleportion, injection port attachment assembly 94 differs from 42 injectionport attachment assembly 94 in that it has four equallycircumferentially spaced rotatable retention members 104 (see FIG. 18),and in the configuration of the retention member actuators and theactuator ramp.

Referring to FIG. 17, plunger 106 includes two diametrically oppositeresilient retention member actuators 108. Resilient retention members110 are disposed diametrically opposite each other since there are fourrotatable retention members 104. If only three retention members werepresent, resilient retention members would be disposed as describedabove. Referring to FIG. 20, resilient retention member 110 includesramp actuator 112. As plunger 106 is advanced, actuator 108 engages ramp112, urging resilient retention members 110 outwardly and out ofengagement with the injection port.

It is noted that in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 16-20, plunger 106bottoms out, after disengaging resilient retention members, withoutpushing the injection port out. Either embodiment described so far maybe configured to push or not to push the injection port out at the endof the plunger stroke.

Referring to FIG. 21, there is shown another embodiment of a injectionport constructed in accordance with the present invention. In thisembodiment, injection port 114 includes a plurality of rotatableretention members/fasteners 116, each disposed to rotate in a tangentialplane. Rotatable fasteners 116 are rotatably carried by respective pins118 which are pressed radially into flange 120.

Referring also to FIG. 22, an additional configuration of rotatableretention members/fasteners 116 a. Fastener 116 a has a generallycircular cross section, and includes a generally arcuate portion 122which extends higher than end 124 a of arm 124 is shown. Operation offasteners 116 and 116 a is the same.

As seen in FIGS. 21 and 22, applicator 126 includes shaft 128 andcylindrical end 130. Cavity 132 forms the center of cylindrical end 130,providing clearance for injection port 114. Cylindrical end 130 includescircumferentially spaced openings 132 which are sized and spaced toalign with rotatable retention members 116.

Referring to FIGS. 24, 25 and 26, injection port 114 is implanted byplacing it on fascia layer 134 with fasteners 116 in the retractedposition in an undeployed state. End 130 a of applicator 126 is placedin contact with flange 120, with openings 132 aligned with fasteners116. With sufficient axial force, shaft 128 is rotated, urging edges 132a against fasteners 116, causing them to rotate and pierce fascia layer134. Edges 132 a include rounded portions where they transition to end130 a for smooth engagement with fasteners 116. As seen in FIG. 26,injection port 114 is implanted when recesses 132 of applicator 126 havebeen rotated into the deployed state at the position as shown.

Referring to FIG. 27, there is shown another embodiment of an injectionport with integral, moveable fasteners. Injection port 136 includeseight circumferentially spaced fasteners 138 extending radially outward(four shown in FIG. 27). This embodiment of the present invention is notlimited to the use of eight fasteners, and one or more fasteners may beused. Fasteners 138 extend from and are secured to bottom surface 136 aof the distal end of injection port 136 in any suitable manner, such asby one end 138 a being pressed, welded, epoxied, or otherwise securedinto a blind hole formed in bottom surface 136 a. Distal end 138 b aresharp for tissue penetration.

As depicted, in the undeformed deployed state, each fastener 138 is asingle coil, forming a hook shape, with distal end 138 b disposedtouching or otherwise adjacent the side of housing 140 of injection port136. It is noted that the relative positions of the side of housing 140and distal ends 138 b may leave fasteners 138 in a somewhat deformedstate with some stress and strain. Fasteners 138, also referred to asradial elements, are flexible, being made of any suitable material.Material having super elastic properties, such as a nickel titaniumalloy, for example Nitinol® wire.

Fasteners 138 may be of any suitable dimensions. In one example,Nitinol® wire having a diameter in the range of 0.020-0.080 mm, coiledto a diameter of about 4-8 mm was used.

Referring also to FIGS. 28-31, implantation of injection port 136 may beaccomplished through use of applier 142. Applier 142 includes plunger144 axially reciprocable disposed inside of tube 146. End 144 a isshaped complementarily to housing 140 of plunger 144. End 146 a of tube146 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots 148 locatedcomplementarily to the spacing of fasteners 138. Tube 146 may include aslot to accommodate the nipple extending from injection port 136.

As seen in FIG. 28, injection port 44 is initially disposed inside oftube 146, spaced up from end 146 a a distance sufficient to orientfasteners 138 in an undeployed state at a position such that tips 138 bare respectively disposed in slots 148 without extending outside of thediameter of tube 146. The wall thickness of tube 146 at end 146 a issufficient to provide adequate length for tips 138 b to remain disposedtherein without extending beyond the outer diameter of tube 146. Tube146 may be uniform along its entire length, or have a thin wall alongits length with a thicker wall suction at end 146 a, such as provided bya collar (not illustrated) disposed about end 146 a, to provide thedesired radial thickness for slots 148.

Although FIG. 28 illustrates flexible fasteners 138 as extendingstraight between slots 148 and bottom surface 136 a, fasteners 138 mayassume a curved configuration dictated by their specific physicalproperties and the distance between slots 148 and bottom surface 136 a.Slots 148 a are configured to keep fasteners 138 in a suitableorientation and configuration to feed through slots 148 as describedbelow. Tube 146 may be made of any suitable material, such as stainlesssteel or plastic.

Injection port 136 may be releasably held in the appropriate locationwithin tube 146 in any suitable manner. For example, a pin may extendthrough a hole in tube 146 to restrain injection port 136 across bottom1364 a until implantation; an adequate frictional fit between injectionport 136 and the inside of tube 146 may be provided, with the tightestfit being at the highest location of injection port 136 within tube 146;end 144 a could be configured to releasably engage injection port 44,with plunger 144 being retained in tube 146.

It is contemplated, but not required, that applier 142 will be providedto the surgeon with injection port 136 premounted inside of tube 144 asa sterilized assembly. Implantation of self attaching injection port 136is accomplished by urging end 146 a against fascia layer 150 to depressthe tissue surface slightly thereby upraising the tissue so thatfasteners 138 may go through it. The surgeon then pushers plunger 144 todeploy fasteners 138, and withdraws tube 146. Sharp tips 138 b penetratethrough and curl back out of fascia layer 150, and stop against the sideof housing 140 to protect tips 138 b. In the deployed state, fasteners138 are in a “relaxed” configuration, having less deformation, andtherefore less stress strain, than in the pre-attachment, deformedstate.

Deformable fasteners 138 may be sized to provide holding strengthsimilar to sutures, with the flexibility of fasteners 138 allowinginjection port 136 to be removed without the tissue being ripped. Forexample, after attachment, injection port may be reposition by graspinginjection port 136 and pulling it up, uncurling fasteners 138 in theprocess. It may then be reinserted into applier 142 and reimplanted.Applier 142 may also be used to remove injection port 136, such as byconfiguring end 150 a to engage injection port 136 to be withdrawn, astube 146 is urged against tissue. In such a case, it may be advantageousto provide structure to index plunger 144 relative to injection port 136and slots 148.

Although flexible fasteners 138 are illustrated extending from bottom136 a, this aspect of the present invention may be practiced withfasteners 146 extending in other directions from injection port 136,such as from the side. As will be appreciated, modifications to applier142, such as a larger diameter to accommodate the circumferentialattachment to injection port 136 for implantation, may be made. It isnoted that with flexible fasteners 138 extending from bottom 136 a, tips138 a are oriented in a downward pointing undeployed state at a positionready to penetrate the tissue from the top, which allows a smallerdiameter than would fasteners extending outwardly from the side. A smalldiameter applier minimizes the size of the incision, and requires lessdissection.

Referring to FIG. 32, another embodiment of an injection port having anintegral moveable retention member is illustrated. Injection port 152includes housing 154 with annular flange 156 extending outwardly fromthe lower distal end of housing 154. Annular flange 156 includes uppersurface 156 a and lower surface 156 b.

Hinge 158 is carried by annular flange 156, moveably connectingretention member/fastener 160 to flange 156. Hinge 158 may be anystructure which allows the necessary relative movement between retentionmember/fastener 160 and flange 156.

Referring also to FIG. 33, retention member 160 includes upper surface160 and lower surface 160 b. Locking member 162 extends upwardly fromupper surface 160 a, and includes distal tip 162 a which is configuredto pierce tissue. Locking member 162 also includes locking configuration162 b which is configured to engage annular flange 156 and lockretention member 160 in a deployed state, as described below. Asdepicted, locking configuration 162 b includes step 162 c and inclinedsurface/ramp 162 d.

In the embodiment depicted, flange 156 includes opening 164 which isshaped complementary to locking member 162, configured to receivelocking member 162 and engage step 162 c to maintain locking member 162and retention member/fastener 160 in the deployed state. Locking member162 has enough flexibility to allow outward movement of locking member162 as inclined surface 162 d engages and advances along correspondingedge 164 a of opening 164. Once locking member 162 has been inserted farenough into opening 164 for ramp 162 d to disengage with correspondingedge 164 a, step 162 c will clear upper surface 156 a, and the lockingmember 162 will move inwardly, with step 162 c engaging upper surface156 a to resist withdrawal of locking member 162 from opening 164.

Alternatively, opening 164 may open to outer edge 156 c of flange 156,or may even be eliminated, with locking member 162 disposed such thatinclined surface 162 d engages and advances along outer edge 156 c.

Locking member 162 may be made of any suitable material which providesthe necessary flexibility, including plastic. Locking member 162 is notlimited to the shape shown, and may be of any shape which is functionalto retain retention member 162 at the position shown in the deployedstate. Locking member 162 and flange 156 may be configured such thatdistal tip 162 a does not extend above, or as far above, upper surface154 a. For example, locking member 162 could include a stop surfacewhich engages the annular flange 156 so as to limit the position ofdistal tip 162 a relative to upper surface 156 a.

Retention member 160 may also be made of any suitable material,including plastic.

FIG. 32 illustrates retention member 160, in the undeployed state. Hinge158 may include a detent to hold retention member 160 in a particularundeployed state position relative to housing 154. To implant injectionport 152, retention member 160 is inserted below the fascia tissue, withinjection port 152 remaining there above. If necessary, an incision maybe made in the tissue sufficient to insert retention member 160.Retention member 160 is moved relative to housing 154 and flange 156into a deployed state, with distal tip 162 a piercing the tissue andengaging opening 164, as illustrated in FIG. 34.

FIG. 34 illustrates injection port 152 fastened in place, with tissue166 disposed between flange 156 and retention member/fastener 160. Ascan be seen in FIG. 34, hinge 158 is located so as to maintain flange156 and retention member 160 in a spaced apart relationship, creating agap therebetween within which tissue 166 may be captured. Alternatively,it may be possible to omit the gap if either flange 156 or retentionmember 160 is flexible enough to so capture tissue 166 without damage.

Although retention member/fastener 160 is illustrated as shapedcomplementary to flange 156, retention member/fastener 160 does not haveto have the same shape as flange 156. For example, retentionmember/fastener 160 could be a strap. Additionally, housing 154 does nothave to include flange 156. Flange 156 could be omitted, with hinge 158being connected directly to an edge of the distal end of housing 154.The axis of rotation of retention member 160 could be orientedvertically with respect to housing 154 and lower surface 156 b ofhousing 154.

In summary, numerous benefits have been described which result fromemploying the concepts of the invention. The foregoing description ofone or more embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposesof illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive orto limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obviousmodifications or variations are possible in light of the aboveteachings. The one or more embodiments were chosen and described inorder to best illustrate the principles of the invention and itspractical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the artto best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It isintended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claimsappended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: (a) a body sized andconfigured for implantation in a patient, wherein the body defines achamber, wherein the body includes a nipple in fluid communication withthe chamber, wherein the nipple is configured to couple with a conduit;(b) a septum associated with the body, wherein the septum is incommunication with the chamber; and (c) a plurality of fastenersintegral with the body, wherein the fasteners are movable relative tothe body from a non-deployed position to a deployed position, whereinthe fasteners are configured to substantially secure the body relativeto tissue when the fasteners are in the deployed position, and furtherwherein the fasteners comprise swiveling hooks.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a conduit coupled with the nipple, such thatthe conduit is in fluid communication with the chamber.
 3. The apparatusof claim 2, further comprising an inflatable member coupled with theconduit, such that the inflatable member is in fluid communication withthe chamber.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the inflatable memberis part of a gastric band.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bodyincludes a housing and a metal base member.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5,wherein the chamber has an upper boundary and a lower boundary, whereinthe septum defines the upper boundary, wherein the metal base memberdefines the lower boundary.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein thenipple extends through the metal base member.
 8. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the body defines a central region, wherein the fasteners areeach rotatable about respective axes extending radially outwardly fromthe central region.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fastenersare movable simultaneously.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thebody includes an outwardly extending flange.
 11. The apparatus of claim10, wherein the fasteners are carried by the flange.
 12. The apparatusof claim 11, wherein the flange defines a plurality of slots, whereineach fastener is disposed in a respective slot of the plurality ofslots.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an applicatorconfigured to removably engage the body.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13,wherein the applicator includes a rotatable member, wherein therotatable member is rotatable to selectively move the fasteners relativeto the body from the non-deployed position to the deployed position. 15.The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the rotatable member is operable topush the fasteners relative to the body from the non-deployed positionto the deployed position upon rotation of the rotatable member.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein the applicator is configured to hold thebody when the fasteners are in the non-deployed position, wherein theapplicator is configured to release the body upon deployment of thefasteners.
 17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the applicatorincludes a first member configured to removably engage the body and asecond member movable relative to the first member, wherein theapplicator is operable to selectively move the fasteners relative to thebody from the non-deployed position to the deployed position in responseto longitudinal movement of the second member relative to the firstmember.
 18. An apparatus, comprising: (a) a body sized and configuredfor implantation in a patient, wherein the body defines a chamber and acentral region, wherein the body includes a nipple in fluidcommunication with the chamber, wherein the nipple is configured tocouple with a conduit; (b) a septum associated with the body, whereinthe septum is in communication with the chamber; (c) a plurality offasteners integral with the body, wherein the fasteners are eachrotatable about respective axes extending radially outwardly from thecentral region to thereby move relative to the body from a non-deployedposition to a deployed position, wherein the fasteners are configured tosubstantially secure the body relative to tissue when the fasteners arein the deployed position; (d) a conduit coupled with the nipple suchthat the conduit is in fluid communication with the chamber; and (e) aninflatable member coupled with the conduit, such that the inflatablemember is in fluid communication with the chamber.
 19. An apparatus,comprising: (a) a body sized and configured for implantation in apatient, wherein the body defines a chamber; (b) a plurality offasteners integral with the body, wherein the fasteners are movablerelative to the body from a non-deployed position to a deployedposition, wherein the fasteners are configured to substantially securethe body relative to tissue when the fasteners are in the deployedposition (c) a conduit in fluid communication with the chamber; and (d)a gastric band in fluid communication with the conduit.